Well, this week has been fun, huh?
The Trump Administration just hit pause on federal grants for the next 90 days, and ho boy, has this caused a wave of posts, videos, petitions, injunctions and all sorts of chaos in our sector.
My phone has not stopped buzzing and everyone I know in the industry has a hot take on this situation.
Also, I have fundraising directors DMing me, “Is it too early to drink?” (Answer: No judgement here!)
I get it. This is not great news. But before you start drafting eulogies for your programs or duct-taping your office printer back together because there’s no budget for toner, let’s talk strategy.
This is not the first (and won’t be the last) time nonprofits face a funding curveball. Hell, I’ve been sounding this alarm for so long, I got the point where I felt like Chicken Little.
But instead of panicking, let’s pivot. Here’s how you keep donors engaged, keep the lights on, and make it through the next 90 days like the badass fundraiser you are.
1. Be Honest. But Don’t Sound Like the Titanic’s Violinist.
Your donors need to hear from you—but not with a desperate, all-caps email titled “URGENT: WE MIGHT DIE.” Instead:
Tell them what’s happening in real human language.
Share how this grant freeze directly impacts your work.
Give them a game plan: “Here’s what we need to do, and here’s how you can help.”
Donors respect transparency. What they don’t love? Doom, gloom, and vague hand-waving.
Keep it clear.
Keep it calm.
And for the love of all that is holy, don’t stop your messaging.
Be frustrated, but keep going.
2. Get Hyper-Specific with Your Ask.
If your fundraising message sounds like, “We need help to survive the grant freeze,” you’ve already lost. Why? Because that tells donors nothing. If they are not directly affected by this, like anything else, this will be white noise. Here’s what works:
Break it down.
Instead of “help us keep programs running,” say:
“$50 keeps our food pantry stocked for 10 families this week.”
“$250 covers transportation for 5 seniors to their medical appointments this month.”
“$1,000 keeps our shelter open every night this week for 20 people.”
Donors give when they know exactly what they’re funding. Make it easy for them.
3. Frame This as a Challenge, Not a Crisis.
People want to be part of solutions, not sinking ships. So instead of an “oh no, we’re doomed” appeal, try:
“We have 90 days to close the gap. We can do this.”
“Help us keep our impact strong while we ride this out.”
“We need 100 donors in 30 days to cover the shortfall—are you in?”
Urgency? Good. Panic? Bad.
Give your donors a reason to step up, not step away.
4. Give People Ways to Help That Aren’t Just Writing a Check.
Yes, money helps. But if you have a fundraiser or Giving Day coming up, and you already have a marketing plan in place, you don’t want to detract from your efforts. So, you may want to try one of these ways to ask your supporters for assistance:
Ask supporters to share your message on social media.
Invite business sponsors to match donations.
Host a quick, low-lift peer-to-peer campaign (“Who can bring in 10 friends to donate $25?”).
Your biggest asset right now? Your community of supporters who love you more than anything. Give them ways to take action beyond just clicking “Donate.”
Breathe. Adapt. Move.
This freeze sucks. But your nonprofit has been through tough times before. This is a setback, not a shutdown.
Communicate with donors.
Get specific about what you need.
Frame this as a challenge, not a crisis.
Rally your community.
And most importantly? Keep moving forward.
The grant freeze is temporary. Your mission isn’t.
And if you need some help with all of this? Send me an email.
We’ve freaking got this.
-Patrick
Comments